Gesture control on Xiaomi smartphones radically changes the experience of interaction with the device – instead of traditional navigation buttons, you get intuitive swipes on the screen. This feature not only frees up extra space for content, but also speeds up your phone by 30%, according to a study. MIUI Lab 2023, however, many users still do not risk switching to gestures for fear of losing their usual controls or encountering bugs.
In this article, we will analyze all ways to activate gestures on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO (including models MIUI 12-14 And HyperOS, and we'll compare the three types of gesture navigation with their pros and cons, and we'll show you how to return the classic buttons if the new interface seems inconvenient. 80% Users are not even aware of it.
What types of gestures support Xiaomi smartphones
Xiaomi’s current devices offer three basic gesture navigation options, each suited to different use cases, depending on your habits, smartphone model and firmware version.
- 📱 Gestures MIUI (default) — classic implementation from Xiaomi with swipes on the bottom and sides. Supports a return to the previous screen swipe on the right.
- 🔄 Full-screen gestures (Android-style) - minimalist version with a thin stripe at the bottom of the screen.
- ⚡ Retention gestures (for simultaneous control) – Advanced mode where a long bar tap calls Google Assistant or menus.
Important: on HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Another type of smart gesture is available, which detects movements in the air above the screen (Air Gestures function), but this option only works on flagship models with infrared sensors.
| Type of gesture | Support for models | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI gestures | All devices on the MIUI 10+ | Intuitive, backup swipe support | Takes up a seat at the bottom of the screen. |
| Full screen (Android) | MIUI 12+ and HyperOS | Maximum screen area | No visual clues for beginners |
| Retention gestures | MIUI 13+ hyperos | Quick access to the Assistant | Accidental play-offs |
| Air Gestures | Only flagships with IR sensors | Control without touching the screen | High sensitivity to lighting |
⚠️ Note: On devices with physical navigation buttons (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Signature control may not be available or work with restrictions. Before setting up, check your model support on the official Xiaomi website.
Step-by-step: how to turn on gestures on Xiaomi
Activation of gesture navigation takes no more 2-3 Follow this instruction to avoid errors:
- Open the Settings → Display.
- Select Full-screen display (on some models – Navigation on the system).
- Slip by Navigation Type and select one of the options: 📱 Gestures MIUI — classically; 🔄 Full screen gestures for maximum space; ⚡ Retention gestures – for extended functions.
Confirm the choice and wait for the application of settings (the device can slow down for a short time).
Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)
Close all background applications
Connect charging (recommended at battery level) < 20%)
Make a backup of settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup)-->
After activating the gestures, be sure to test the basic functions:
- 🔙 Swipe from right to left – return to the previous screen;
- 🏠 Swipe from the bottom up - return to the main screen;
- 📱 Holding the swipe from the bottom – opening the menu of recent applications;
- ⚡ Quick swipe from the bottom and hold – Google Assistant call (if enabled).
If the gestures are not working properly (for example, swipe back is triggered once), try calibrating the touch screen:
Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)
→ Additional settings → Sensor calibration💡
On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) You can customize gestures separately for horizontal orientation, which is useful for games where standard swipes interfere with control.
Xiaomi’s hidden gestures you didn’t know about
In addition to basic navigation functions, MIUI And HyperOS hides a number of additional gestures that make everyday smartphone use much easier, and these features are often disabled by default, but can be manually activated.
Here are the most useful ones:
- 🔍 Quick camera start: double press the power button (works even on a locked screen). On some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 12) you can set the start with a long press on the volume button.
- 📵 Swipe disable sound: swipe down the lock screen, holding the speaker icon - the sound will go into silent mode.
- 🔦 Flash on incoming call: activated in Settings → Special facilities → Flash on notifications.
- 🖼️ Screenshot with three fingers: swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time. To enable: → Additionally. → Screenshot.
- 🔄 Turn off alarm clock: put the phone screen down to set the alarm clock (set in the Watch app).
How to turn on the gesture to quickly start the flashlight?
The Double Tap to Wake feature, which allows you to unlock the screen with a double tap on it without pressing physical buttons, is activated in:
Settings → Display → Screen Lock and Password → Double-touch to wake up⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60 Pro) frequent double taps can cause burn-in effects (pixel burnout). If you notice icon marks on the screen, turn off this feature.
Classic swipes MIUI
Full-screen gestures (Android-style)
Hidden gestures (camera, flashlight, etc.)
I don’t use gestures, I prefer buttons.-->
How to Restore Classic Navigation Buttons
If gesture control seems uncomfortable or causes accidental positives (for example, in games), you can return the usual buttons "Back", "Home" and "Recent" at any time.
- Open the Settings → Display.
- Select Full Screen Display (or System Navigation).
- Slip by Navigation Type and select Navigation buttons.
- Click Apply and restart the device (recommended for stable operation).
On some firmware (MIUI 13 and later) the option of adjusting the location of the buttons is available, for example, you can swap the back and recent buttons for left-handers:
Settings → Display → Full-screen display → Order of buttonsIf you notice that the lower part of the screen has become less responsive after returning to the buttons, reset the sensor settings:
Settings → About phone → All specs → Tap 5 times on the “Core Version” → Reset sensor calibration💡
On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14), classic navigation buttons can be displayed as transparent icons even in full screen mode. To remove them completely, activate the option to “Hide the navigation band” in the additional display settings.
Solving gesture problems on Xiaomi
Despite the convenience, gesture control sometimes malfunctions.-5 problems and ways of solving them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Gestures don't work. | Conflict with shell or launcher | Install a standard MIUI launcher or reset the settings |
| Swipe back up again. | Sensitivity of screen edges | Increase the swipe area in Settings → Special facilities → Sensitivity of touch |
| Unintentionally opening the menu | Accidental touches in games | Turn off gestures in horizontal orientation or use game mode |
| Upward swipe delay | Overloading MIUI animations | Turn on the settings. → Additionally. → Windows animation (install) 0.5x) |
| Gestures don't work after update | Firmware resetting | Perform a reset of settings through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Resetting settings |
If none of these methods worked, check the firmware integrity.
- Open the Security app.
- Go to System Check.
- Press the firmware integrity check.
- If errors are detected, perform recovery through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select the update package (download the latest version) MIUI For your model from the official website).
⚠️ Warning: On devices with an unlocked bootloader and custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) gestures MIUI In this case, it is recommended to use alternative launchers with gesture support, such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.
Comparison of gestures on Xiaomi and other brands
Gesture control on Xiaomi is often compared to the implementation on Samsung, Google Pixel or iPhone. Let’s break down the key differences:
- 📱 Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS): Support for swipe back from either side of the screen; customizable gesture sensitivity; Additional gestures for camera, flashlight, etc.
- 🤖 Google Pixel (Stock Android): Minimalist design with no visual cues; No swipe back from left edge (only right); Quick switch between swipe apps on the bottom lane.
- 🍎 iPhone (iOS): Single swipe from the bottom to return to the home screen; Swipe retention for multitasking; No additional gesture support (except AssistiveTouch).
- 🌐 Samsung (One UI): Gestures are similar MIUI, but with support for Edge Panels; Additional gestures for Bixby; Smoother animations when switching.
Xiaomi's main advantage is the flexibility of the setup, for example:
- 🔧 Change the width of the sign band;
- 🎨 Set up vibration when swiping;
- 🔄 Disable gestures for individual applications;
- ⚡ Add delay to prevent accidental response.
But MIUI There are also disadvantages: some users note delays when swiping up on budget models (Redmi). 10A, POCO M5), What is connected with firmware optimization for weak processors.
Video instructions and additional materials
If the text instructions seem complicated, we recommend watching the gesture setup video tutorial on Xiaomi:
🎬 How to turn on gestures on Xiaomi in 1 minute (MIUI 14) (channel) MIUI Tips)
For an in-depth study of the topic, we recommend to read the official documentation:
- 📖 Official reference Xiaomi on MIUI 14 (section “Navigation");
- 🤖 Forum MIUI — Discussion of bugs and hidden functions;
- 🛠️ Xiaomi.EU – firmware with advanced gesture settings.
If you want to customize gestures as much as possible, consider installing third-party apps:
- 🔧 Fluid Navigation Gestures – adds additional gestures and animations;
- 🎨 Edge Gestures – allows you to assign actions to swipes from the edges of the screen;
- ⚡ Swiftly Switch – a quick switch between applications.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party gesture management apps may conflict with system features MIUI. Before using, back up your data and check for compatibility reviews with your model.